Just Released: A New Version of Web Designer

[RedBopete]

That is how it should be with Xara too. Anything we are able to download and use within that 1 year should be ours permanently. To me this is just an attempt to increase profit at our expense and I won't be falling for it. I also could care less about getting next year's stuff early. Either give it to me for real or wait for the next release of the software. If Xara really wants to capitalize on a new feature then offer it as a stand alone purchase we can buy( and have permanent access to )until it is added to the next year's version.

This new proposal will drive people away. I was considering upgrading as I am only at WD10. I only do it every couple years as I don't do enough website work to need to update every year. I figured I would do the next one out. Not now. No chance. I am not interested in renting software.

This is a horrendous idea similar to what Xbox proposed. Microsoft was wise enough to see it was a loser. Hope Xara figures it out too.

Jumping in here to agree with gsthunder. I skipped the last update and was considering updating with this new version, but not now. If our update/purchase price gives us a license that entitles us to all updates for 1 year, that entitlement should not change if we have a hard drive failure. Let us restore/download all updates that we had access to during that year. Or else reduce the original update cost and allow us to purchase (for keeps) any new features. One thing that isn't being mentioned is how many and what kinds of new features might be planned. All we hear is "there will be updates and new features". It's not exactly fair to expect users to agree to this new arrangement without having some idea what new features will be included. For all we know, some of these new features might be something we might not be interested in.

[katemoir]

RedBopete - what I'd recommend to someone in your position is to take a look at all the new features in 365, which you can find here http://www.xara.com/web-designer/whats-new/ - and in your case what was new in v11 also, which you can find here http://www.xara.com/web-designer/whats-new/older/, and then consider whether you think it is worth the upgrade cost or not. Everyone is different and puts a different value on specific features, but personally I think we've added a lot of new features in the last couple of years that make the upgrade worth it. If you don't agree then wait until you see something new that persuades you, because remember under 365 whenever you purchase you get a perpetual license to whatever is the current version of the program. And if you are not comfortable with the conditions attaching the access to 365 updates that come after purchase, you could reject the updates and take a look again a year later and consider whether you want to upgrade again.

[dutchim]

Just a simple question...

With version 11 and older you download the latest version 11.x.x when you buy it. The version changes depending when you get it. Now versus let's say December.

Under the 365 version will I be downloading version 12.0.0 regardless when I buy it throughout the year... With the updates/bug fixes only send to me after I install it?

[Acorn]

@katemoir - this still does not hang together.
Can you elaborate on a few User Scenarios, without asking just us to read the Guarantee?

Scenario 1
A user buys XWD365P at v12.0.0 and renews annually for three years.
After letting the Guarantee lapse, what version can the user download for a clean install?

Scenario 2
A user buys XWD365P at v12.4.0 and renews annually for two years.
After letting the Guarantee lapse, what version can the user download for a clean install?

Scenario 3
A user buys XWD365P at v12.0.0 and lets the Guarantee lapse.
There have been 27 bug fixes and 6 updates to v12.6.0. What version can the user download 3 months later for a clean install?

Scenario 4
A user buys XWD365P at v12.4.0 and lets the Guarantee lapse.
There have been 23 bug fixes and 5 updates to v13.2.0. What version can the user download 15 months later for a clean install?

Feel free to change the scenarios if you can illustrate any aspect more effectively.

Acorn

[Egg Bramhill]

All good points Acorn. I also note Xara's almost total silence re the new computer / new hard drive situation.

[digitalphaser]

In my opinion Xara has problems with the ideas and the development.

Perhaps a good idea would be a partial move to open source. 1000 developers are better than 10.
Look what was Blender 3D 10 years ago and now. Blender's Cycles render partially better than Keyshot for 2000€.
Now Xara is expensive "oldtimer" for enthusiasts.

I can understand Adobe or Hi-End rendering/3D systems that offer subscription model. These products are mostly unique. This software is almost impossible to replace.
What can Xara offer irreplaceable ? Motley packaging, attractive demo video and parallax are too few for innovative product. I doubt that Xara will be able within 5 years to reach even level of Corel Draw+PhotoPaint X7. I mean graphic editor.

Software for creating pseudo websites I do not take seriously. XWD is FrontPage of the 90s.

For me, XDP remains a favorite tool for rapid prototyping. But only as "roustabout" for a serious software. For subscription model is too weak.

[handrawn]

All good points Acorn. I also note Xara's almost total silence re the new computer / new hard drive situation.

I think that's because it's an activation issue and that's down to Magix, not Xara - see posts #13 #14 and #24] here: http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthre...808#post551808

so according to katemoir that needs clarifiying with magix...

[Boy]

@katemoir - this still does not hang together.
Can you elaborate on a few User Scenarios, without asking just us to read the Guarantee?

Scenario 1
A user buys XWD365P at v12.0.0 and renews annually for three years.
After letting the Guarantee lapse, what version can the user download for a clean install?

Scenario 2
A user buys XWD365P at v12.4.0 and renews annually for two years.
After letting the Guarantee lapse, what version can the user download for a clean install?

Scenario 3
A user buys XWD365P at v12.0.0 and lets the Guarantee lapse.
There have been 27 bug fixes and 6 updates to v12.6.0. What version can the user download 3 months later for a clean install?

Scenario 4
A user buys XWD365P at v12.4.0 and lets the Guarantee lapse.
There have been 23 bug fixes and 5 updates to v13.2.0. What version can the user download 15 months later for a clean install?

Feel free to change the scenarios if you can illustrate any aspect more effectively.

Acorn

Great post, Acorn, you distilled the whole issue into a set of clear and concise questions/problem statements. I too would appreciate it if we got precise, unambiguous answers from Xara.

[katemoir]

@katemoir - this still does not hang together.
Can you elaborate on a few User Scenarios, without asking just us to read the Guarantee?

Scenario 1
A user buys XWD365P at v12.0.0 and renews annually for three years.
After letting the Guarantee lapse, what version can the user download for a clean install?

Scenario 2
A user buys XWD365P at v12.4.0 and renews annually for two years.
After letting the Guarantee lapse, what version can the user download for a clean install?

Scenario 3
A user buys XWD365P at v12.0.0 and lets the Guarantee lapse.
There have been 27 bug fixes and 6 updates to v12.6.0. What version can the user download 3 months later for a clean install?

Scenario 4
A user buys XWD365P at v12.4.0 and lets the Guarantee lapse.
There have been 23 bug fixes and 5 updates to v13.2.0. What version can the user download 15 months later for a clean install?

Feel free to change the scenarios if you can illustrate any aspect more effectively.

Acorn

So after 365 days, if you don't upgrade again / renew and you install on a new computer it reverts back to the version you last purchased. If you buy it today that is 12.0 and if you don't upgrade next year then when you come to reinstall it will be 12.0 (plus as mentioned before bug fixes, if any, released for that version). If instead you buy 6 months from now and the current version at that time is, let's say, 12.4 then 12.4 is what you have a perpetual license to and 12.4 is what a re-installation would fall back to 12 months later if you didn't renew. And so on, for all your scenarios - and it doesn't make any difference if your 'last purchase' is a first time purchase or upgrade.

If you have considered the details as carefully as Acorn you will wonder how you reinstall next year, if you don't renew. The current plan is to make the download you are entitled to available in your service center (as those of you with long memories will recall we used to do prior to v6) and that download will be the version you purchased with any appropriate bug fixes, if any have been released for that version. So for example if you bought 12.0.0 you might find it called 12.0.0.1

[PhilM]

I hesitate to step into this maelstrom, but by applying Kate's answer I believe the specific answers to Acorn's questions are:

1. v15.0.0.0 + bug fixes
2. v14.4.0.0 + bug fixes
3. v12.0.0.0 + 27 bug fixes
4. v12.4.0.0 + 23 bug fixes

That's my best understanding of the system. But I may be wrong.

Phil